The proposed budget and tax rate largely unchanged from last year, officials said.

BSISD's proposed financial package for the 2008-2009 fiscal year features $29.4 million in expenditures, an increase of about $200,000 from the previous year.

Chief Financial Officer Sandra Waggoner said the new budget features about $300,000 in pay raises for district employees and money for three new vehicles for the bus fleet, but very few other extras.

To pay for the budget, the district plans on a tax rate that will charge taxpayers $1.119 per $100 valuation, an increase of 1.5 cents from the previous year (The increase, Waggoner said, is attributed to a rise in the district's debt service payments.).

Waggoner promised a tight budget, mostly because state financial aid is frozen at 2005-2006 levels.

“This year has been much more difficult than the previous few years,” Waggoner said. “Because of the revenue target (state officials have) for us, we'll basically receive the same amount of money as three years ago ... When you factor in cost increases, particularly in food and fuel, it makes it much more difficult to put together a budget.”

On the positive side for the district, however, is an expected rise in enrollment this school year — more students mean more state aid, Waggoner said.

“Gaining students is the only way we will gain state funding,” she said. “The Texas Education Agency has us at a (predetermined) revenue target, so the only way that changes is for us to gain students.”

In addition to more students, the district has another potential revenue source in increased property valuations. BSISD's preliminary valuations topped $1 billion this year, an increase of $93 million from the previous fiscal year.

That means, of course, that most district property owners can expect an increase in their tax bills, Waggoner said.

Waggoner said the levy on an average market value home ($41,357) will pay $6 more in taxes this year.

Like other taxing entities, BSISD is keeping a close eye on the dispute between the county tax appraisal district and Alon USA Refinery. A lawsuit over the refinery's 2006 tax appraisal is expected to be heard in Howard County District Court early next week.

With the refinery's appraisal up in the air, Waggoner said the school district is budgeting for only a minimal tax payment from Alon this budget cycle.

“We're only budgeting on the value they paid taxes on last year ($80 million),” she said.

Contact Staff Writer Steve Reagan at 263-7331 ext. 234 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it